The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2008 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 22, 2008. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law & Justice (Chairperson: Shri E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan), which submitted its report on February 18, 2009.

The Sixth Central Pay Commission recommended revision in the salaries, allowances and pensions of the central government employees. The revised rules have come into force on January 1, 2006.

The Bill seeks to revise the salaries of the judges with effect from January 1, 2006 as follows: (a) Chief Justice of India – from Rs 33,000/pm to Rs 1,00,000/pm; (b) Judge of Supreme Court – from Rs 30,000/pm to Rs 90,000/pm; (c) Chief Justice of High Court – from Rs 30,000/pm to Rs 90,000/pm; and (d) Judges of High Court – from Rs 26,000/pm to Rs 80,000/pm.

The Bill also seeks to revise the pension a judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court receives after retirement. It also seeks to revise the amount received by the family after the judge’s death.

The judges are entitled to allowances such as sumptuary allowance, travelling allowance, rent free house, and conveyance facility. The Bill seeks to revise the rates of some of these allowances. The Bill lists a number of penalties for offences such as use of pesticide in contravention of the law and sale of misbranded or sub-standard pesticide.

The state government may notify certain courts of judicial magistrates of first class or a metropolitan magistrate to be special courts for speedy trials.